Articles by

Chaka V. Grier

Sunny War Reconnects with Blues Roots on Latest LP Simple Syrup

In her young life, Sunny War has been through more than most—homelessness, drug addiction, even making her first album in a sober living home as a teen. But when the pandemic hit in 2020, forcing much of the world...

Falcon Jane Keeps the Faith on Sophomore LP

Graced with a strangely stunning voice—youthful and emotive, gloomy and perceptive—Falcon Jane (singer-songwriter Sara May) has just released a sophomore album, Faith, the follow-up to 2018’s Feelin’ Freaky, via Pittsburgh-based label Darling Recordings. On it, cathartic verses ascend to...

musician Juman holds a large flower to her face

JUMAN Expands Compassionate View on Latest EP Tear Time

As the COVID-19 pandemic began its steady spread, Juman sensed it was time to move—physically and spiritually.  The Melbourne raised singer-songwriter-producer, who is of Palestinian-Turkish-Jordanian background, had battled a sensitive immune system since childhood and knew it was time...

Cuban-Canadian musicians Elizabeth Rodriguez and Magdelys Savigne of the band OKAN

PREMIERE: OKAN Bring Colorful Afro-Cuban Style to “Espiral” Video

Jazz fusion duo OKAN (Elizabeth Rodriguez and Magdelys Savigne) are at the forefront of Canadian-Cuban musicians bringing kaleidoscopic island sounds to international music lovers. OKAN (meaning heart in the Afro-Cuban religion of Santeria) formed when Savigne and Rodriguez—both new...

Hannah Georgas Explores Loss and Change on All That Emotion

It’s impossible not to be enveloped by the intimate, searing voice and songwriting of Hannah Georgas. Georgas has been taking listeners on an emotional, and sometimes existential, journey since her debut EP, The Beat Stuff, in 2009. Steadily moving...

Pantayo Merges Traditional Filipino Kulintang with Punk, R&B, and Synthy Electronica

Pantayo – an experimental, all-women kulintang ensemble – is a sound evolution that began over meals and music in 2012. Founding members Michelle Cruz (vocals, agong), Katrina Estacio (vocals, kulintang, sarunay) and Kat Estacio (vocals, kulintang, dabakan, programming) met...